8 of the best restaurants in Dubai this week: New openings, pop-ups & more

New reasons to leave the house…
Dubai's food game is nonstop, and if your week revolves around what's on your plate, you're speaking our language. From the latest openings to exclusive pop-ups and hidden gems, these 8 best restaurants in Dubai are making your weekdays something to look forward to. Hit the group chat. Duck & Waffle x Firetti Contemporary
What: Duck & Waffle teams up with Firetti Contemporary for Beyond the Palette – an art-meets-dining moment launching Tuesday, April 29. Expect sculptures, cocktails, and a fresh way to see (and sip) something new.
Vibe: Culture-forward, unexpected and a little bit surreal.
Menu: Bespoke drinks inspired by artworks, like the 00' Duck Martini – a beurre noisette fat-washed vodka and gin mix paired with Paolo Nicolai's fragmented sculpture.
When: From April 29 onwards
Where: Duck & Waffle, DIFC. @duckandwaffledubai Shimmers, Mina Al Salam
What: Shimmers presents 'Ode to Greece,' a one-off collaboration between Shimmers' Head Chef Emanuele de Leo and Chef Thanos Feskos of Athens' two-Michelin-starred Delta restaurant, creating a two-day tasting menu that dives into Greek roots with modern technique and a sustainable edge.
Vibe: Laid-back coastal dining with serious culinary craft.
Menu: A one-off collaboration between Shimmers' Head Chef Emanuele de Leo and Chef Thanos Feskos of Athens' two-Michelin-starred Delta restaurant, mixing tradition, creativity, and fresh produce.
When: 29 and 30 April, from 12.30pm to 8pm.
Where: Shimmers, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam. @shimmersdubai Koko Bay
What: Koko Bay brings a slice of Bali to Palm West Beach every Thursday night with Sound of Bali – a themed three-course dinner with live shows, DJs and beachfront vibes.
Vibe: Laid-back luxury meets fire shows, drums, dancers, and beach beats.
Menu: Balinese starters, hearty mains like Lamb Rendang, and tropical desserts like Mango Sago Pannacotta for Dhs295.
When: Every Thursday, 7pm to 12am
Where: Palm West Beach, Dubai. @kokobayuae Moon Slice
What: Moon Slice, the cult-favourite pizzeria, lands at Dubai Mall's new District wing, bringing its signature pizzas with it.
Vibe: Cool, low-key and all about quality.
Menu: Neapolitan-style pizzas, fresh pastas, and more.
When: Now open
Where: The District, Dubai Mall. @moonslicepizza Ting Irie
What: Ting Irie in Downtown Dubai spices up Tuesdays with Island Catch – a seafood night full of Caribbean flavour.
Vibe: Bold, colourful, and seriously lively.
Menu: Expect Jamaican seafood dishes, island sides, and punchy cocktails.
When: Every Tuesday
Where: Souk Al Manzil, Downtown Dubai. @tingiriedxb Iris Meydan
What: A new sushi night, 'Sticks & Soy', has landed at Iris Meydan. It's designed for sushi lovers who like their rolls with a side of great atmosphere.
Vibe: Lively, stylish, and perfect for kicking off the weekend a little early.
Menu: Expect a curated menu of sushi favourites, rolled fresh and ready to share.
When: Every Thursday from 7pm onwards.
Where: Iris Meydan, Dubai. @irisdubai Derwandi
What: Derwandi, the homegrown Lebanese spot, has launched a weekday lunch deal that keeps things simple but full of heart.
Vibe: Casual, welcoming, and ideal for a proper midday break.
Menu: A three-course Lebanese lunch featuring classic, comforting dishes – fresh, generous, and packed with flavour.
When: Weekdays during lunch hours.
Where: Derwandi, Downtown Dubai and Abu Dhabi. @dewandi.uae La Vue Café and Boulangerie
What: La Vue Café and Boulangerie launches a new daily business lunch, pairing laid-back Parisian vibes with hearty, French-Mediterranean plates.
Vibe: Casual, charming, and a little nostalgic.
Menu: Two or three courses of easy-going classics like crispy camembert, truffle rigatoni, chicken parmesan, and warm chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream. Dhs85 for two courses, Dhs95 for three.
When: Daily, 11.30am to 3pm (weekends too).
Where: La Vue Café and Boulangerie, Sofitel Dubai Downtown. @lavuedubai
Images: Supplied/Instagram

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If you have a bit more time to play with, you might want to stay in cooler Psyrri or Pangrati, where hole-in-the-wall restaurants and craft beer bars nudge up against concept stores and pavement cafes. Or Kolonaki, the upmarket "Knightsbridge of Athens", where you'll find the ritziest hotels. Best time for weather Outside of July and August to avoid soaring temperatures - breezy March and still-toasty October are loveliest. Cheapest time to go Winter, when flights are still running and few tourists are in town. In October, return flights start at around £80 return; in January that almost halves to around £45. Dodge the crowds November, January and February have the lowest hotel room rates and thinnest crowds. Best for glamour: Santorini This Cycladic icon is no secret - ever since the jet-set (and Instagram) found it, this has become the island that launched a thousand selfies. But when you go, you see why: the part-sunken edge of a long-dormant volcano rim, the island's western (caldera) side plunges down into the sea in a photogenic fashion. Uniformly pretty Cycladic-style hotels and houses are speckled along its tops, many with illuminated plunge pools and ribbons of hot-pink bougainvillea. Stay around Oia and Imerovigli, taking a sunset yacht cruise around the coast, and you'll feel like you're starring in a movie. Its breadth that even seasoned travellers find new discoveries with each visit, barely scratching the surface. Elsewhere on the island, affordable accommodation exists near flatter, black volcanic beaches and pretty hilltop towns; but if you're here for Santorini's unique looks, you want the caldera coast. It's not family friendly, due to the plunging cliffs and millions of steps connecting buildings. And everything here - from hotel rooms to dinners and drinks - is pricier than elsewhere in Greece. Cheapest choice? No way. Worth the cash? Absolutely. Best time for weather September - think highs of 25C by day, and a sea warmed up by months of summer heat. Cheapest time to go This is a holiday island, so most places shut up shop outside of spring, summer and autumn. Within that period, you'll get some of the best rates in April and October. Dodge the crowds In April, compromise on chillier evenings and the odd bit of drizzle for a chance alone with the best caldera views. May is also pleasantly quiet. Best for families: Corfu The buzzword here is "ease": not only does Corfu have the shortest flight time from the UK, but young families will also love the logical tourist scene. Fly into its east-coast airport, connected to hotels by a well-paved coast road, served by plentiful taxis. Most resorts are within half-an-hour's drive, with more secluded villas and lesser-known hotels slightly further away on the north and northeast coast. Many of the best-known hotels nail being both both chic and family friendly (try the Marbella, Ikos or Grecotel groups), with many more that are simply affordable and welcoming. A sprinkling of adults-only finds are a hit with couples. Though the tourist scene is accessible, tried and tested, this huge, forested island is also perfect for hiring a car and exploring. Visit the pretty old port, Corfu Town, the sand-fringed north and west coast, and hop on a boat to Paxos island. Best time for weather June to August has that blazing hot, bucket-and-spade weather you're dreaming of. Cheapest time to go May is still warm and breezy, with highs in the low 20s - weeks at self-catering apartment holidays come in at £500pp per week, rising to more like £800pp by mid July. Best time for weather September - think highs of 25C by day, and a sea warmed up by months of summer heat. Dodge the crowds Go for a more active holiday in Feb-March or late October-November; in the latter, you'll find few tourists, but locals still swimming in the summer-warmed sea. Best for foodies: Crete This island is a giant - it would take around five hours to drive nonstop from one end to the other - so even if you've seen one beach town or region, there's far more to explore. But one thing you'll find all over is exceptional food: Crete has a long farming tradition and a huge respect for produce, seasonality and provenance. It also has its own styles of salad, local cheeses and is a major producer of olive oil. Elsewhere in Greece, the most fashionable restaurants are often inspired by Cretan cuisine. You fly into one of two north-coast airports: Chania towards the west and Heraklion towards the east. They're more than two hours apart, so make sure you book the best for your accommodation. The joy of a big isle like this is choice and diversity: there are affordable, family-friendly beach towns, stylish port cities, ancient archaeological sites and secret-feeling coves only reached by boat. The trade-off? A fair bit of research and planning. Best time for weather June to August for peak summer sun, but Crete also remains balmy into September - great news for adults-only parties seeking peace and quiet. Cheapest time to go April is a sweet spot - you can bag a week in a five-star beach hotel from £730pp, rising to £1,100pp in June. Daytime temperatures will be around 17-21C maximum. Dodge the crowds It empties out from cooler November to March, when there are still plenty of active pursuits, foodie experiences and ancient sites to entertain you. The Independent